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F10 / F11 (2011 - 2016) The sixth generation of the BMW 5 Series Sedan (F10) was produced from 2011 - 2016 with LCI updates arriving in 2014. In the US BMW offered a hatchback 5 Series Gran Truismo (F07) and the rest of the world also go a Station Wagon/Touring version F11.

The handle lights come on when you unlock the car, or if you press the lock button on the fob when it's already locked. Their main purpose is to provide downlighting to light the perimeter of the car. I have a 2011 535i, not sure about the packaging of items on the '13's. Do you have the handles with the chrome strip down the middle (are you sure you have the handle lights)? Maybe you're not seeing them during daylight. I think they also come on when you first open the door if it's already unlocked.

I don't think that's a feature of the car. I only think that once it is activated in some way through the key fob does it illuminate the door handle lights. One of the only cars that I'm aware that does this it he new 2013 LS.

My Highlander have this feature and I love it. As soon as I get close to the SUV it activate the puddle lights. Unfortunately this feature is not an option in our vehicles although a few members have uncovered a lot of hidden features thru coding so hopefully there's still hope.

Didn't know the chrome handles were an option (which means those awesome LED's in them we have are as well).

Which option did we get that gives us the chrome strips in the handles?

K-A, I think for 2012 and '13, the chrome-stripped door handles were made standard. For 2011, they were part of the premium package, which included ambient lighting. You rarely see an F10 without the chrome strips. When I first went to look when the F10 was first introduced, I snapped a pic of one on the dealer's lot (below). That one must not have had the package, because if you look closely, there are no chrome strips on the door handles.